Kentucky Fried Garden is my journal of vegetable gardening in humid western Kentucky USDA zone 7a. Knowing where my food comes from and whether it comes from non-genetically modified seed is important to me. I try to use open pollinated varieties in an effort to continue maintaining the diversity of food plants available to humans. Trying to extend the harvest by experimenting with hardier varieties and overwintering plants will be one of my projects.

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June 13, 2015

Broccoli Heading Up

I noticed on Monday a single Waltham broccoli plant is just starting to form florets. So exciting. But I'm a little worried that it's forming the head too early, maybe similar to bolting. It's the first time we have ever grown broccoli and it has been fun seeing the plants get huge. They rival tomatoes in their speed of growth and size.

I'm growing two other types as well Summer Purple Sprouting and Di Cicco. All the broccoli were started at the same time on April 4th but Waltham is noticeably larger than the other two varieties with Di Cicco being the smallest. The broccoli plants are spaced about 2 to 2.5 feet apart.

The plants are starting to look like they need some supports, they are definitely leaning out to reach the light. Sorry about the weeds. I've been running over to water the garden in the hundred degree weather every few days but the garden really needs a good hoeing.

The hybrid Zephyr squash is starting to form female blossoms. None of my zucchini or yellow crookneck and yellow straightneck squash germinated. Besides the Zephyr squash it looks like we will be having lots of pattypan and Lemon squash.

7 comments:

The Waltham broccoli is looking good. Different varieties head up at different times, and even within some varieties planted at the same time, they head up at different times, a "feature" which helps spread out the harvest. With your temperatures, I would keep an eye on it. If the buds look like they are starting to open, you need to cut it. Even if small, there is still the prospect of more side shoots.

All of my broccoli plants are still tiny - I sowed them late, but I still think they should have put on better growth by now. I grew broccoli for the first time last year & it was so much fun! I didn't get very big heads or anything, but it certainly was delicious!

Hi David,I'll keep on eye on the broccoli and cut it before it flowers. I'm really interested in how the Surround kaolin clay works for your plants. I've already seen one shield shaped squash bug hanging out on a pepper plant. Bad sign of things to come.